Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1887-03-17
PETE'S HOSS.

''Yank's comm, pap" and Toby
waved a long, lank arm toward the tall,
blue hills, round which wound the vel
low mountain road. where the shallow
stream, known as "Pottses Fork, " cross
ed and recrOssed like the unwinding of
giant snake.
Mr.. Potts shook his head portentous-
", stroking his matted gray beard with
fingers yellowed and hardened by years
of unremitting toll.
oval, don reckin thars anything
fur 'em to take; mos everything's done
ben ct up by the boys that stopped
hyar LAST" Potts paused abruptly,
troubled by sudden thought; Toby
sided up to the old man, muttering al
most inaudibly:
''Pete's boss, pap! yer dom think
they'd take Rod rick, do ye?''
They sharn'tl not if l hev ter lose
every drap o my blood, they sh;trn't
take tibet hossr' cried the old man vehe-
mently.
"Mebbe they cyarn't find him, pap
-Roxy's tux him ter the mountin'
getherin' sumac, an eff she don't come
out TOO soon they'll never know nothin'
bout it." said Toby, reassuringly.
The soldiers were now in full sight,
their bayoncts glittering in the sun,
their blue coats darkening the yellow
road and Frightening the sombre pines,
and the thud of their trayel-worn feet
beat like 4 distant drum. ...,-..v ,nurr APP
preaching footsteps n swaying griish
form is coming down the mountain,
singing an old sweet hymn CT freedom;
In her arms are branches of sumac turn
ing brown, and yellow, and scarlet in
the mellow autumn sun; 1T her side q
slender dark bay horse, sleek and
glossy as the pride of an Arabs heart,
follows closely, unressting the bride
swung carelessly over her wrist. Tobv's
heart jumps in his throat and ali the
color fades from his face, leaving it
quite white, save the tan-colored freclI-
les that cover his thin checks.
The father and son wave their hands
in unintelligible gus-Roxy looks and
listens, and, suddenly understanding,
springs back into the neighboring
thicket. Too late! one of the blue coats
espies her and leaps nimbly after her.
Roxy is crouching close in the shad-
ow of Il bending plne-tree and Roder-
lexis eyes shine like stars behind his
green prison. "a fine horse and Il finer
girlr' shouts the soldier, crasping
Roxy's plump arm.
Let me goV' she screams; ''let me
90. sayr'
The others, laughing and shouting,
scramble up the rocky bank, eager for
an adventure. They have pulled the
ral II Il II
and one boldly sezes Roderick's bride.
The brave horse plants his delicate
hoofs in the mans chest and sends HIM
rolling down the hill. others rush at
him, and, painting with rage and fright,
he tries in vain to dash past them, but
they are too many for him, and while
some, more cowardly than the rest, look
from behind the trees at this strange
battle, others surround him on all sides,
and he stands trembling with excite
ment and pain as they fastcn the bit
firmly on his sensitive mouth.
Soldiers, you darnt take the hossw
cries Abraham Potts, a CULVER of en-
treaty in his voice.
THAT war my Pete's hoss-he raised
him from colt and never lowed no
body to tech him but hisself. ., no.
soldiers, take anything I've got, but
don't tech that hossr'
If he's Peters horse let him take
care of him now" laughed the soldier,
carelessly. as he tightens his grip on
the bride.
Roxy had thrown one arm round the
fathers bent form, and stood shelter
ing him, as it were, from the jeers of
the Federals. Now Abe Potts bent for
ward. drawing hlmself away from his
daughters clinging grasp.
''Pete's done dead, men," muttered
the old man in hoarse, choked voice;
''he's layin' now back thar benin the
house, with the weepin' willer he plant
ed a-shadin' his grave. Rod'rick thar
brung i'm home ter der he gasped
brokenly. Soldiers, he wuz all he'd!
Ny Pete-so brave, and SIGH a fine fig
ger; when he rid away with the Var
ginny Grays. my heart swelled till it
wuz nigh Dustin; but gin him to my
country. an thet's all tibet is left O him
tibet there boss" Old Potts sighed
then went on with an effort
One cyenin' we hyard bosses hoofS.
an we knowed it war Rod rick-he cum
in Their night-an' when i he'll out ;ne
light TO make shore twas him | never
seed nothin ut fust bus Rod,rick. his
eyes a-shinin' like Goals at fire Pnrtr